Single cd-key solo play Ladder HF rushing works

[Crystalion]

Nice try, but the interlock prevents the character from descending the (open) stairs. You raise this question later along with excellent points that I will not further spoil here.

Actually any character can go down these stairs if they are open reguardless of if they have completed the council quest. I have done it many time with characters that have not done the quest already.

This was not my recollection (and I know I've tested it previously) so I tested it again... indeed you can go down the stairs.

This means that I am in error: only 3 kills (credit) are requisite (at a minimum) to advance to nightmare (in classic... to stay there if you convert to LoD you need also to kill nm Andy first--this also means you need to kill hell andy and talk to hell act 2 Tyriel to stay in hell post-convert).

None of these kills have regen (unlike the Council). Therefore a clvl 1 character could suffice, e.g. Firebolt (by newbie staff sorc).

Hmm, here's a quote apropo of this situation...

There is no sadder sight in the world than to see a beautiful theory killed by a brutal fact.
~ Thomas Huxley

;)